Leadership Tips: Celebrate a Leader in Your Life

Woodrow Wilson said, "You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand."

Think of the leaders in your life. The ones that push you and stretch you in new ways. Who do you have in your life that enables you to live with greater vision?

Have you said thank you to any of them lately?

With our go-go culture, it can be difficult to take the time to celebrate. On top of that, it can be easy to think that the acknowledgment is not needed, or that the person already knows what you would say.

But trust me, it is always a good time to pause and share appreciation.

When I think of the leaders in my life, I think about one I grew up with. My dad was an Admiral in the Navy, and after his 28 years of service, he still has so many people in his life that would follow him to the ends of the earth – without incentive or acknowledgment. He has impacted their lives in such a substantial way, that they feel forever connected. And he continues to have the same impact now that he is in the private sector. I think most of us strive to enrich people’s lives in the way he has. I’m so grateful for the example.

This week’s tip is to celebrate a leader in your life, in a meaningful way. It could be in person, on the phone, or through a different form. It matters more that you do it, than how you do it.

I would love to learn about leaders in your life. Who are you going to celebrate this week?

This blog was originally published October 19, 2015 by Stacey Engle, EVP of Marketing.